Day 8 Mon- Rugged Tracks and Great Views

Today was tough…..
We set off after breakfast to do a walk to Loin Head Lookout on Huron Lake….
We had to book online for parking and that parking was allocated to 4 hr time slots…and according to the information it was a strict 4 hr time slot….this we had to pay for but the NP walk we didn’t….I was concerned if I was too slow we wouldn’t get back by the 4 hrs….Both men thought I was silly as it was only 6.5k….not realising it would turn out a difficult track to keep up good timing….
It started out with such pretty scenery and that actually was the case the whole walk….It was just over 4 kms but what a roughed 4ks it was….the track is still quite damp having the snow only fully melted a few weeks back….so what ground was there was muddy in some patches but mostly compressed solid ground but very moist….along with this was very uneven and difficult to walk over limestone on 80% of the track….up and down over rocks and rock walk ways….it as difficult for me with my dicky foot trying to make sure I didn’t fall over….I am happy to say only one fall…
Jess and I amused ourselves with finding beautiful little flowers and unusual plants along the very green path…

Up rocks, down rocks….little Phoenix kept up the whole way until we were heading back and he just stopped and no way would he go on…but Tim coxed him and off the little trouper speed again….such a little treasure this dog….

Jess found a few smaller orchids along with numerous unusual ferns and different plants….the area was covered in new growth of every type of fern, fresh bark on birch trees 🌳….so beautiful but I couldn’t really enjoy it as much as I wanted just trying to stay upright on the uneven Rocky paths,,,,.

What seemed like forever we eventually made it to viewing points along what we saw later from the main town of Loins head were sheer limestone cliffs….
The water below along the edges was crystal clear looking like some of the beaches we have visited over the years. Eagles, chipmunks, even a snake 🐍we walked past on our way back along the cliffs tops….only John saw it and took a pic we were oblivious thank goodness….apparently non venomous possibly a common Garter snake 🐍…..anyway just glad I didn’t see it….

I stayed on one of the smaller cliffs while Tim, Jess and John headed to the main one…where both Tim and John climbed down to a very precarious spot with a natural window view to the water scene below….it looked magic…shame I didn’t go but since I had a fall at the end of last year off the ladder, my right hip has given my hell…I did some damage and now feel as old as I am…
We passed a guy on the track who sounded very Aussie I didn’t get to ask him….
A few dogs with the owners…..one a Pug had given up the ghost to walk and was in a doggy backpack…😂😂😂😂 it did look funny….mostly all small dogs…..only ones that gave us hell were 2 poddies barking little pests they were….

It was a quicker trip back as our 4 hr time slot as nearly up….it was much hotter now compared to when we starred out….nearly out of water too boot and a struggle going back over the rugged track as I was tired….out of shape not having been riding for ages, both John and I are very unfit at present….my new boots were rubbing badly, my hip giving me curry I was a miserable old cow heading back…but I pushed on …..

Tim, Jess and Phoenix rushed back quicker to make it to the car in time…we were 4 minutes past the time allocation….whew thank goodness we are back…

From here we headed to buy some much needed stores at the supermarket of Loinshead,,,.then to get an ice cream before heading to their habour….

While in the supermarket 3 young girls all came into the store all with Aussie accents…you really hone in on accents when you travel and hearing your own or similar your ears 👂 definitely prick up….again I didn’t get a chance to ask them if they were Aussies…

We drove to the Loinshead Harbour which had some really lovely yachts and larger cruiser at the marina….A very cute little lighthouse and heaps of massive white sandstone barriers along the shore line….. making the crystal clear water look even prettier….

We were all so tired we drive back in silence…I headed straight to bed with drugs for the old hip…John slept for nearly 3 hours I had about 45 mins but felt so much better after it all….

Tim hit the hot tub….we eventually woke John so he could go in the hot tub too….We sat outside this arvo the mossies not as bad as yesterday….
We even lit the campfire 🔥 and had hot marshmallows toasted on sticks after our dinner of backed salmon 🍣 salad 🥗and a potato salad ……a nice light meal after a big day…
I had envisioned walking the Camino Track, but after today I think I am getting too old and stiff to be a great adventurer 🤔😁!

We finished off the night with another Star Wars movie….getting them down….Læs mere